Alternator upgrade

[Evilcj]

Currently i have a VT 1998 SS Commodore 5L. Iam having problems with my alternator because it is having troubles charging the battery after i run my high end stereo system. The alternator is 80amp's and i wanting to upgrade it to a larger version, so it can charge the battery suscessfully. I have seen an auto-electriction and they said that the alternator cannot be rebuilt to support larger amp's.

Does anyone know what alternator is advisable for my Commodore to support my ever thirsty stereo without blowing the budget to much.

Cheers from the new guy !

[1991_Vn2nV]

Hey, im very interested in an answer for this as well. My alternator simply cant charge the battery properly with my sound system going all the time. If any1 can answer Evilcj's question then can you tell me what options i have to upgrade the alternator on a VN as well?

[semi]

depends on your stereo. Im pretty sure its possible to piggyback your current alt. so that you have 2 running at once. Or you can upgrade the alt to a higher capacity one. All depends on how much power you really need

[jds303]

i think you can get a factory holden 110amp alternator to suit

[Tasmaniak]

I would consider looking at your entire charging system. I've ran a stereo capable of 2000wrms from a Subaru with an 85 amp alternator. But, if you insist your altnator is not capable of poowering your MASSIVE system then find a wrecked police vehicle. They carry either 150 or 160Amp alternators depending upon the vehicle....



The issue isn't your alternator though.

[garfa]

old battery will be a better bet.

[Evilcj]

I would consider looking at your entire charging system. I've ran a stereo capable of 2000wrms from a Subaru with an 85 amp alternator. But, if you insist your altnator is not capable of poowering your MASSIVE system then find a wrecked police vehicle. They carry either 150 or 160Amp alternators depending upon the vehicle....



The issue isn't your alternator though.

I dont know if it is my alternator exactly i am just going by what a few auto-electricians have said as i have not had this problem before in my other cars.If u think it is not my alternator and it is in my entire charging system can u please point me in the right direction so i can get this problem sorted out asap
cheers

[Tasmaniak]

replace the battery with something of at least 850CCA. I wouldn't reccommend an Optima yellow or red. Just replace it with a standard battery. It's going to last much longer. I often see people running just a single battery and it's an Optima and they are returning thebattery after 2-3 years of use and it's dead. The deep cycle do NOT like starting motors. The benefit you get from using one is far outweighed by it's cost and cost of replacement.

Just a standard battery with a high CCA and you will be fine. If that doesn't work THEN look at your alternator but I'm pretty confident that this will work. If it is your alternator though I would imagine something like the brushes are old and needed replacement.

[Ganzer]

i have statesman international 2002 with a gen3 motor and my stereo cut out when turn up loud, replaced the battery and now it is just light and dash dim at night time, have been told to up grade my alternator around 140 amps. so i rang a few auto-electriction and they said they could rewind it or do something to it so it would put out more amps close to 160 amps for a small price of $150. so im getting that some time soon.

[Tasmaniak]

it involves rewinding the diodes into a delta configuration. It CAN but not always lead to large voltage fluctuations. I don't understand how it works but I Have seen a few amps get upset at being hit with 18+ volts.

[grafxworld]

Optima batteries will out run any standard type of battery,I had a red top running a built RX7 with a huge sound sytem for over 8 years and then it went into my VR4 Mitsu for 2 more before it died. of course this is also while living in colorado (very cold winters and hot summers) mine was even a blem model since you could buy them right from the gates factory stores a few miles from my house in USA
http://www.optimabatteries.com/publi...l#000100010001
look at these testomonials from the maufactures
I would recommend one anyday, I went with an 1200 amp odyseey battery just because the price was right and the current capabiltity is awesome 2600 amps instant amps
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/picked up here from a local dealer for 295 bucks, for my VT commy runs close to 2000 true watts at full power, I've also upgraded my wiring and have 3 - 1 farad caps in the system all on a new factory alternator. which is straining still mostly because the litle v6 alternators are very under powered, 85 amps to run things isn't enough when your cooling fans consume heaps of power some say 20 amps but haven't looked into it.then add lights, fan inside, and the motor/computers and then your recharging your battery , 85 amps doesn't go far, I've heard the police models have 110 amps which you can by for pretty cheap, search the forum for the part numbers I have seen them posted here somewhere

[grafxworld]

for the tech details of the delta diode configuration see this link
http://www.windstuffnow.com/main/3_phase_basics.htm

[grafxworld]

You can buy high output alternators with custom windings but they cost heaps, 500 or more bucks but they also look cool, polished up etc.

[semi]

you might want to look at upgrading your earths too, will help if you're having dimming issues. AN auto elec will probably say the alt. needs replacing so that they can be paid to replace it. It will probably fix the problem, but there's also probably cheaper and easier ways to do it

[Tasmaniak]

I deal with Optima daily and I can honestly say....they don't live up to their reputation.

[Evilcj]

replace the battery with something of at least 850CCA. I wouldn't reccommend an Optima yellow or red. Just replace it with a standard battery. It's going to last much longer. I often see people running just a single battery and it's an Optima and they are returning thebattery after 2-3 years of use and it's dead. The deep cycle do NOT like starting motors. The benefit you get from using one is far outweighed by it's cost and cost of replacement.

Just a standard battery with a high CCA and you will be fine. If that doesn't work THEN look at your alternator but I'm pretty confident that this will work. If it is your alternator though I would imagine something like the brushes are old and needed replacement.

ok thanks for your input very much appreciated.I will look at getting a standard battery with a high cca rating...do u think it would be an avantage for me to run duel batteries(standard battery for starting car and accessories and an odyssey for just my stereo)

[Tasmaniak]

not yet. I think that should be a last resort.

[ascension24]

You didnt completly explain your situation.

I extremely doubt that 80amps is not enough for your system, unless you are running 5000watt wrms subs full blast while your driving.

What exactly is the problem, are you playing music with the car off? do lights dim when your subs hit bass while your driving?
Explain your situation clearly and ill tell you the problem.

Chances are it could just be your grounding as this is the problem most of the times.

Do this, measure the voltage across your battery, should be 12, start the car and now measure the voltage, if its 14 point something, then your alternator is fine.

If its not, just get a second hand one or reco.

If its fine, then im guessing your problem is lights dimming when bass hits, this has nothing to do with your alternator as i ASSURE you it can supply more then enough power for your needs.

Upgrade all your ground cables, from battery to the chassis and from amp to chassis to at least 2 gauge.

If this fails (will only fail if you have a very intense system) you just need a larger battery that can supply the surges for the bass hits.

People think if they are running 75wrms splits, that they take use up 75 watts of power during play, wrong. Even when you are pumping them full blast and your ears are hurting, youll find they prob never reach above 15watts. Dont believe me? measure the power with a multi meter yourself, or if you wanna take the hard route, get a degree in electronic engineering.

[garfa]

if you wanna take the hard route, get a degree in electronic engineering.

i intend doing that next year!